How many times have you been in a mall, grocery store, gas station or airplane and endured a toddler having a shouting fit? It happens all the time. I know, being a single mother with 4 kids, that we make a real effort much of the time to keep some type of peace with our little ones and young kids, and gosh, even our young teenagers, now that I think about it.

Below is what is so normal and what I always used to do. I would take my young children to the supermarket and the first thing I would do is get them a free cookie at the complimentary cookies for children bakery counter. Then, I would go as quickly as I could, intending to finish my shopping trip before their cookie was done, constantly to a predestined failing point. Pretty quickly, they were yelling over the grocery cart or for some other inane reason and I would leave the grocery store with everyone a little worried out and obnoxious and frazzled.

Every single dad who takes their kid or kids to the grocery store would opt to have their kid cooperate, so they could get their buying done and maintain their dignity as a parent. Thomas Liotta, my partner instructed me to learn exactly what is essential to your kid or young teenager. Exactly what is in it for the kid to act in the method that is necessary to you?

If it is the cookie in the store bakery, you would have a short discussion with your kid: “Little Timmy, I would enjoy for you to have a cookie. For you to earn a cookie you will be peaceful, calm and cooperative in the grocery store. When you are, after we come out, you could have your fresh cookie. Okay?” Using a mere two to five minutes to pre-frame with your young child will save you 30-60 minutes of aggravation in the grocery store!